Dewan: Teams that best controlled the running game in 2013

As a part of the Baseball Info Solutions defensive metrics, we estimate the number of runs that pitchers and catchers are able to save for their teams by controlling the running game.

We divide up the credit for each stolen base and each caught stealing by looking at the pitcher/catcher battery and their track records for preventing stolen bases with and without each other.

We also give out some credit to pitchers and catchers when runners are too intimidated to attempt to steal at all. For example, many fewer baserunners were willing to give it a go with Yadier Molina (46) behind the plate than with Salvador Perez (71) despite the fact that both played 1115.1 innings at catcher in 2013.